Mo. Rev. Stat. § 305.180

The county commission of any county in this state is hereby authorized after a hearing to acquire, by purchase or gift, establish, construct, own, control, lease, equip, improve, maintain, operate, and regulate, in whole or in part, alone or jointly or concurrently with others, airports or landing fields for the use of airplanes and other aircraft within the limits of such counties, and may use for such purpose or purposes any property suitable therefor, that is now or may at any time hereafter be owned or controlled by such county.